Late Goal Sends WPI Past Wellesley Soccer, 1-0

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Megan Forti tallied the only goal of the game with 5:25 left in the contest to propel WPI to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Wellesley Saturday evening and in the process secure a spot in the upcoming six-team NEWMAC Tournament.

With the win, the Engineers now have a season-best three-game winning streak and move to 6-9-1 on the season and 4-4 in conference play.  With just one league match to play, WPI has 12 points - three ahead of Clark - and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Cougars.  Wellesley, who had already clinched a berth in the NEWMAC Tournament, slips to 7-7-2 overall and 4-2-2 in NEWMAC action.     

With the two teams looking destined for overtime, senior Kristen Garza sent Forti through with a long pass.  The freshman used her speed to just edge past a defender and tucked the ball past the charging goalie for her team-best 11th marker of the season.

Wellesley had two of the three best scoring chances prior to the goal.  Amanda Young flicked a nice shot on net that was deflected over the crossbar by WPI netminder Maddie Willer in the 20th minute.  Just prior to halftime Emily Wilson had a laser repelled by Willer.  Forti nearly broke the scoreless draw 10 minutes prior to her heroics but had bid turned away Sarah Gray. 

Willer made six saves while registering her second straight shutout and third of the season.  Gray was credited with three stops for the Blue.  

The match saw each team attempt eight shots while Wellesley had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks. 

WPI ventures out of conference for the final time on Wednesday with a 6:30pm road match at Becker.  Wellesley is off until Saturday when it hosts Clark at 1pm in the regular season finale.